‘The Rocky Horror Show’ @ Dallas Theater Center
Chris Sanders
I wish to write this review in form of three confessions:
1) I arrived at the wrong venue. 2) I don’t like any of the characters in The Rocky Horror Show. 3) I loved this Dallas Theater Center production of The Rocky Horror Show, directed by Blake Hackler.
Confession Number One: This was completely my own error. I read the correct location several times in my invitation, and then let muscle memory take over. Thus, I unfortunately missed the first 15 minutes of the show (everything before the number “There’s a Light”). I’ve seen the film multiple times, have viewed three shadow casts, and this is my third viewing of the live musical. Plot wise I wasn’t missing much. However, for any first timers to The RHS? You’ll want to see the whole thing. Go to the Kalita Humphreys Theater to watch the show.
Confession Number Two: I don’t like the characters…for a multitude of reasons. Perhaps it’s due to having a recent therapy session about being more honest about my emotions, and how I truly feel about something versus how I *think* I should feel about it. I realize that what I like about Rocky Horror has absolutely nothing to do with anyone in the story—particularly the young puritanical couple in denial about their own issues who get lost and stumble upon the mansion of a homicidal, hedonistic extraterrestrial.
So let’s start with the character of Frankenfurter. He is the embodiment of a psychopathic, narcissistic CEO—a Thomas Edison type, to use a real life example of Frankenfurtiveness. And I despise Edison. Frankenfurter is the embodiment of the seven deadly sins. He commits murder, adultery, and theft; he’s a glutton for attention, and shows great envy for anyone who takes that away from him. Like a three-toed whatever, he lazily leaves all the hard work to his servants (he beats them too), and his pride allows him to shallowly justify the harm he inflicts on others.
But what I find most annoying about Frankenfurter being evil for evil’s sake is that he makes such a great scapegoat, a distraction from the hypocrisy of Brad and Janet’s self-righteous morality. They spend so much time trying to hide their flaws; it’s too easy for them to blame Frankenfurter, a larger-than-life baddie. Brad and Janet’s cover is the classic whine of “The devil made me do it.” Naw, boo boo. A couple who get engaged at someone else’s wedding is toxic, and doomed from the start.
Confession Number Three: Despite my issues with characters, I absolutely adored this production of The Rocky Horror Show. I loved the costumes, I loved the performances, and I will always love the music. (Music, lyrics and book all by Richard O’Brien.) From the cast to the crew to the band to the videographer, everyone seemed to enjoy being on that stage and putting on this show. With Rocky Horror, I think, it’s particularly true that the effort the cast and crew put in determines how engaged the audience is, and this production did what needed to be done.
I wasn’t planning on singling out any one performer, because everyone who touched that stage did a stellar job. However, I feel it needs to be said that despite me not enjoying the character, the actor playing Frankenfurter (L. Walter) holds the heartbeat of the show. Came in with an entrance so outstanding, the audience had to be silenced (mostly in character) before the show could move on. Beyoncé who? T. Swift where? This is L. Walter’s time to shine.
Though truthfully, there wasn’t a lacking person in the cast. From named cast members to phantoms, everyone gave it their all, and it was a delight to see—though excellence in performance is what one can expect to see in a production led by Blake Hackler. Still, some of my favorite parts had to do with things like the costumes, designed by Ari Fulton, and the set, designed by Natalie Rose Mabry. Also, ya girl loves a good reference. While The Rocky Horror Show primarily pays homage to 1930’s B horror films, during this production's rendition of the number “Once in a While” there are references to several more recent plays and musicals, including Avenue Q and The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?
Kudos to fight director/intimacy coordinator Kelsey Milbourn for handling the sexual scenes in a hilarious way that also kept the actors safe. Such a doll for that—and Milbourn is the choreographer too. There are so many things to praise, but this is a production that is meant to be experienced. Leave the kids and faint of heart at home with The Hallmark Channel, and go see The Rocky Horror Show at the Kalita Humphreys. And nowhere else.
Cast: Christina Austin Lopez, Bob Bohorquez, KJ Gray, Kwinton Gray, Kynzi Gum, Isaiah Christopher-Lord Harris, Alex Heika, Roger Hunt, David Lugo, Liz Mikel, Alex Organ, Dominic Pecikonis, Rachel Nicole Poole, Noah Randall, Asher Ross, L. Walter, Jackie Whitmill Jr., and Zachary J. Willis.
WHERE: 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas
WHEN: September 30-October 30, 2023
